James McClean vented his frustration after Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni left him on the bench to watch his team-mates struggle to a 2-1 win over Kazakhstan on Friday night.

Trapattoni, who has come under pressure this summer after the country's dismal showing at Euro 2012, saw his Republic of Ireland side put on arguably the worst performance of his four-and-a-half year tenure.

Kazakhstan, ranked 142nd in the world, outplayed the Republic in Astana and took the lead nine minutes before half-time through Kairat Nurdauletov. They could have scored at least two more goals before they collapsed in a frenetic final two minutes which saw the visitors snatch victory thanks to goals from Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.

Trapattoni brought Doyle and Shane Long off the bench but did not call upon McClean, who has been outstanding for Sunderland this term - a move that has clearly enraged the 23-year-old.

Tweeting from his official account @JMcC_23, the winger said: "Delighted as a fan we got the the win.. Personal level #fuming #f****njoke #embarrassing." The tweet was later deleted.

Trapattoni is aware of McClean's rant and could fine the former Derry City man for his actions, or even kick the player out of the Republic's squad for their friendly against Oman at Craven Cottage on Tuesday - a game in which he probably would have started.

The winger tried to calm the controversy on Saturday morning when tweeting: "i apologise for my tweet last night, it was stupid, disrespectful and i let my frustration get the better of me which still aint an excuse."

McClean is not the first person to become enraged at sitting on the bench for the Republic in recent times.

Darron Gibson refused a call-up to the squad for these two games as is still smarting from Trapattoni's refusal to bring him on as a substitute during Euro 2012.

And last month Wolves utility man Kevin Foley turned down the chance to play for his country in their friendly against Serbia and vowed never to play for Trapattoni again because he felt the Italian "betrayed" him by excluding him from his European Championship squad.